Springfield CVB executive director Tracy Kimberlin presents the 2008 Pinnacle Award to David Leong, the inventor of Springfield-Style cashew chicken. Wing Yee Leong (right) is David Leong's son and a popular chef in Springfield.

The Springfield, Missouri, Convention & Visitors Bureau presented its 2008 Travel & Tourism Awards last month. The annual banquet was attended by more than 200 people. The Springfield Awards presented include: Ambassador, Hospitality, Diplomat, Spotlight, and Pinnacle Award.

The Ambassador Award, presented to organizations that generated significant economic impact for Springfield area, went to the Greater Ozarks Bowling Tournament, which celebrates its 50th year in 2008. The Greater Ozarks Bowling Tournament—a major bowling event in the Midwest and one of the largest open bowling events in the United States—brings more than 12,000 people from around the country to Springfield each year and utilizes two bowling venues—Enterprise Park Lanes and Sunshine Lanes—along with numerous hotels and restaurants.

The Oasis Hotel and Convention Center, a full-service conference and banquet facility was the Hospitality Award, presented by the Springfield, Missouri Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The Hospitality Award is venue-focused, recognizing a facility’s outstanding hospitality to the traveling public and exhibits a team spirit in promoting the growth of Springfield area travel and tourism. This year’s winner, the Oasis Hotel & Convention Center,  is a full-service conference and banquet facility. Highlights that includes more than 25,000 square feet of meeting space, a business center outfitted with the latest technology, a new fitness center, a sports complex, 173 renovated hotel rooms, banquet facilities that accommodate more than 800 people and the new Fire & Ice restaurant.

The Diplomat Award is presented to a government official, organization or employee who has provided significant support to the Springfield area travel industry. The 2008 Diplomat Award was presented to Springfield City Manager Bob Cumley. The Spotlight Award is for an individual, business or organization not usually considered part of the travel and tourism industry for noteworthy contributions in advancing

travel and tourism in the Springfield area. The 2008 Spotlight Award went to Urban Districts Alliance in appreciation for this nonprofit organization's role in downtown redevelopment. UDA has been credited with transforming downtown Springfield into an arts, entertainment and event destination. UDA also was appreciated for supporting such regional events as the Tour of Missouri (a cycling competition), the annual Springfield Artsfest, and Cider Days.

The Pinnacle Award, reserved for individuals who have made substantial contributions to the betterment of the Springfield area travel industry, was given to a local hero and legend. The Pinnacle Award was presented to David Leong, former owner of Leong's Teahouse and the "inventor" of Springfield-Style Cashew Chicken, a dish he first served in 1963. Leong's innovative Asian cuisine expanded Springfield's dining options by leading the way for other international and ethnic restaurants and his invention of Springfield-Style Cashew Chicken gained popularity throughout the nation and brought attention to Springfield over the years. Leong's Tea House closed its doors in 1997, but authentic Springfield cashew chicken is still being served at over 100 restaurants in and around the Springfield metropolitan area.

The Oasis Hotel and Convention Center has added more than 5,000 square feet of meeting space, part of which offers tantalizing views of the indoor pool. There are eight breakout rooms and options for customized space configurations.